Sunday, September 24, 2017

Our Eltham - Artistic Recollections

Artist - Nerina Lascelles & Ceramicist - Linda Detoma

Completed September 2017

From fire to
flood, from gold mining to wheat harvesting, from the horse and buggy to the
motor car and from Shillinglaw Cottage to the Eltham Library, ‘Our Eltham’ is a
celebration of life in our Shire since the opening of the Eltham Cemetery more
than 150 years ago.

Depicting
scenes of life in and around Eltham, this collection offers us a deeper connection
to our area through a series of visual narratives of our past, our environment
and our community. Historic photographs ignite an impression of what our forefathers
may have witnessed during their lifetimes as pioneers before, us while indigenous
flowers and plants symbolically connect us to life and nature in our local area.

The Eltham
Cemetery Trust commissioned this project as part of its ongoing vision to offer
our community a fresh and unique relationship to the Cemetery and confirms the
Cemetery Trust’s commitment to the continued support of local artists.

Our Eltham is a collection of panels that
were collaboratively created by artist Nerina Lascelles and ceramicist Linda
Detoma. The associated landscape was designed and constructed by Leigh Wykes
with ironwork by Neil Carter. All contributors to this installation are
residents of the Eltham area.

The official unveiling of the project commencing at Montsalvat. September 21, 2017

An
art object is like a time capsule...

....a portal to another time and place, it reveals insights into human behaviour,
beliefs, dreams, habits and ideas. Art has been created by humans for
humans across hundreds and hundreds of years because it can inform us,
stimulate us, uplift us, inspire us and offer us an enriched view of life.
That is what we hope to achieve with this work.

I
have lived Eltham and the surrounding area for nearly 50 years. What drew me to
this project is the wonderful opportunity to offer a fresh perspective of the
rich history and beautiful landscape right here on our doorstep.

And,
as with a time capsule Linda and I hope that we have brought the Eltham Cemetery Trust's vision to life and helped to make the story of historic Eltham, relevant to the
present and to the future generations who will enjoy this work.

Visitors to the cemetery reflecting on the collection of 31 panels at the opening.

The
Eltham cemetery is a time capsule as well. It was established in 1858. It
is fascinating to ponder on what life would have been like and how life in the
Nillumbik area has changed over more than 150 years. A reflection on
historic imagery and story enables us to understand what our fathers and their
fathers may have witnessed during their lifetimes. Historic imagery
also allows us to contemplate the myriad of colourful tales that
our dearly departed forefathers, now at rest within the Eltham
Cemetery, would have perhaps told. Historical imagery offers us today, a
connection with our past.

Great Hall Montsalvat with Donkeys, 1963. Photographer John T Collins

Leigh Wykes,
renowned throughout the Nillumbik Shire for his talent as a designer, builder
and stonemason, and who is here today, designed and constructed the 50 metre,
curved stone wall in the cemetery upon which this series of panels was then to
be displayed.

Leigh
Wykes visited my art studio some 18 months ago. Leigh had also met with we'll know local ceramicist, Linda Detoma and suggested that Linda and I meet and discuss the idea of potentially working in collaboration on the project.

My artistic practice combines influences of the
ancient artwork of the orient and the reverence that Japanese artists, poets
and monks displayed towards the natural world around them. Over recent years I have featured Australian
elements in my paintings, endeavouring to reflect a similar sensitivity towards
the natural world here in Nillumbik.

Native flora and foliage features in my work

Perhaps
it was the use of indigenous native flora and foliage within the layers in my
work that struck a chord of connection with Leigh, like the inclusion of the
typically Eltham round Red Box Gum leaves or the soft, misty green of the
silver wattle that grows on the banks of the Diamond Creek. Perhaps it
was the bright yellow pom poms of Golden Wattle that cheerfully heralds
the beginning of Spring at the end of a long Winter. Perhaps
what Leigh recognised in that moment was a celebration of the bush treasures
that surround us in Eltham; the beautiful native plants of varying shape,
texture and colour that remind us of our own sense of home and place in
this unique part of the world.

Historic map of Eltham

The
process of creating this series of panels has been an unfolding journey, each panel has seemed to take on a life of
its own. Historic research, a series of interviews, sourcing local photos and
on-site photography took me out of the studio on what felt like a treasure
hunt. As each tale unfolded, I was able to sense a deeper and deeper personal
connection to life here in this Shire. A connection that I hope has been
relayed through this body of work, and a connection that I hope my 2.5 year old
son will also experience as he grows up in this area.

The newly installed body of 31 panels at the Eltham Cemetery

So to describe what this commissioned project actually looks like, “Our Eltham – Artistic Recollections” comprises a
series of 31 ceramic panels, each measuring 70cm x 60cm, which have been
installed into a rusted steel balustrade that runs above a 50 meter stone wall
in the cemetery.

The
panels depict designs which incorporate a multi-layering of imagery
including local landmarks of significance and of
a collection of native plants that are indigenous to
the Eltham area.

A selection of tiles fresh out of the kiln after their third firing

Technically speaking, each panel is made up of
15 handcrafted ceramic tiles that piece together like the
pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, to picture the overall design. The panel
designs have been created digitally with some of
the designs containing more than 90 layers of imagery. The
digital designs are then transposed into a decal (or transfer image)
which is produced using glaze materials, that when fired, the
image adheres permanently to the tiles. Metallic or
Iridescent luster is later applied before a final firing. Each of the
465 tiles in the project have been fired up to 5 times before being
mounted, grouted and installed in the cemetery.

Eltham, Shillinglaw Cottage, 1963. Photographer J T Collins

Kangaroo ground War Memorial Tower, 1930's

View at Hurstbridge, photographer Rose Stereograph Co.

As
mentioned, the subject matter within this series of panels largely
comprises a range of photographs of scenes and sites in around Eltham.

Some
of the historic structures may be recognisable to you
as many are still standing today: for example (Shillinglaw Cottage by
the library, the War Memorial at Kangaroo Ground or the Monash bridge in
Hurstbridge)

These scenes
may remind you of stories that your mothers, fathers, grandmothers
or grandfathers may have told, or possibly some of your own
memories and stories are ignited when you visually connect with a familiar
place. I loved sharing completed panels with my family: here and abroad,
and listening for their memories of the Red Rattler or the Eltham Barrel etc…..

Eltham Trestle Bridge, 1981. Photographer G.L.Coop

The Barrel Restaurant Main Rd, Eltham. Photographer Peter Willie

The
use of indigenous flowers in the panel designs symbolically reconnects us
with our local area. Native wildflowers and foliage also represent the
beauty of the natural world around us. The little jewels that seem to
miraculously arrive from the invisible and for often a relatively short period
of time gift humanity with their physical beauty. To witness the life of a
flower – from a small shoot, to then bud, flower and over time the wilting and
falling of that flower, allows us to reflect upon our own life span and the
life cycles of every physical form on the planet.

The sweet smelling Chocolate lily or Dichopogon strictus

Local
species reconnect us to our area without any reference to a particular decade
or period. A chocolate lily remains a chocolate lily regardless of the
invention of electricity, the motor car and bitumen roads which have physically
changed the landscape of the area over recent centuries. A gum tree remains a
gum tree over the passage of time yet due to its long lifespan can be perceived
as a silent witness to the changing environment around us.

This
project has been like a dipping back into a time capsule for me: a glimpse back
into the past of "Our Eltham" and bringing it to the present day.
Today we offer it as a gift for future generations to enjoy.

Perhaps reflecting on the collection of panels in “Our Eltham” may reawaken in you a sense of connection to this
area, offering you your own individual experience of home and place in
this unique part of the world.

A selection of panels from the collection

On behalf of Linda and myself, we’d love to extend heartfelt thank you to:

The members of the Eltham Cemetery Trust and secretaries Rita and Julia for the wonderful opportunity to undertake this commission and for all of your support every step of the way.

Thank you to Leigh Wykes for your vision, support and unwavering belief.

Thank you to also to the Eltham District Historical Society, Eltham Library and Andrew Ross Museum who, amoung others kindly granted permission for the use of our selection of historic photographs.

Thank you to John and Eillish at Decal Specialists for your assistance and expertise.

To Amanda Gibson for your wonderful talent with the design and layout towards the book

….. and everyone else who has contributed to this project over the last 18 months. The incredible support from so many members of you, the community only strengthens the project title, Our Eltham.

About Me

Nerina Lascelles is an accomplished Melbourne Artist who has been exhibiting in Australia and Internationally for over 20 years.
Her work has been inspired by over 15 years of travel to different countries in Asia and her paintings on canvas have a generally ‘Eastern’ influence and include a collage of Japanese Kimono's, Chinese Silk, Washi Paper, Joss, and Encaustic Wax.
Nerina is also an Art Therapist and conducts sessions with a variety of minority groups.